1
as in sources
a point or place at which something is invented or provided
the origins of human language remain a matter of considerable debate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in roots
the source from which something grows or develops
the origin of the tradition of giving presents at Christmastime
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in lineages
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
they could trace their origins back 15 generations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of origins
The origins of Godzilla’s name may remain a mystery, but there are no secrets related to its film escapades.
—
Michael Taube, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Since pivoting from black and pinto beans to roasted and ground ones, Niccol has been trying to reverse Starbucks’s falling sales by returning to its coffeehouse origins.
—Molly Liebergall, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Looking ahead, success for importers and roasters may depend on diversifying origins, adjusting sourcing strategies, and using real-time data to stay ahead of shifting market pressures.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
What are the origins and opposition to the time change?
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
Popular in Hong Kong for over a century, the technique’s origins in Chinese construction date back to at least the Han dynasty, around 2,000 years ago.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
The origins of this problem can be traced back decades.
—Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Fans will undoubtedly be thrilled to see the literal origins of Claire and Brian, both of whom are essential for bringing the original series story to pass.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
The origins of irrelevant research that only academics care about can be traced to the talent pipeline stage.
—Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Michael Taube, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Since pivoting from black and pinto beans to roasted and ground ones, Niccol has been trying to reverse Starbucks’s falling sales by returning to its coffeehouse origins.
—Molly Liebergall, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Looking ahead, success for importers and roasters may depend on diversifying origins, adjusting sourcing strategies, and using real-time data to stay ahead of shifting market pressures.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
What are the origins and opposition to the time change?
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
Popular in Hong Kong for over a century, the technique’s origins in Chinese construction date back to at least the Han dynasty, around 2,000 years ago.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
The origins of this problem can be traced back decades.
—Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Fans will undoubtedly be thrilled to see the literal origins of Claire and Brian, both of whom are essential for bringing the original series story to pass.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
The origins of irrelevant research that only academics care about can be traced to the talent pipeline stage.
—Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for origins
Noun
-
However, the picture of severe armored attrition for Russia is consistent across multiple sources.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Questions remain about carbon-capture wells Arizona is the nation’s largest producer of copper, an essential component in the electrification of cars and household appliances, as well as renewable power sources.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This Chardonnay is both a step forward and a nod to its roots, Myers says, as Chardonnay was one of the first grapes that founder Justin Baldwin planted in his vineyard.—
Jeanette Hurt,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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The problem is that standing water in the soil deprives roots of oxygen.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Slavers didn’t keep records of family lineages and the enslaved couldn’t do so.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Mingling and interbreeding Modern humans and Neanderthals share an ancestor that originated in Africa, but the two lineages diverged at least 500,000 years ago.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
However, looking deep into these swirling cradles of planet formation has always been tricky.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Now on sale for less than $20, these pumpkin cradles are a simple but genius gardening hack that lifts squashes off the ground to prevent moisture build-up that can cause rot.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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One of several intriguing questions from the Big 12’s offseason might have the beginnings of an answer.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Intense, dramatic and often life-changing, time speeds up in this energetic tunnel with themes of endings and beginnings coming into view.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The box covers the most popular classes and ancestries such as humans, elves, dwarves and halflings.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Behind Chalet Alpina are two development teams with impressive pedigrees.—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Transcripts, grammars, vocabularies, dictionaries, glyph studies, botanical studies, commentaries, articles, editions of codices, correspondence, maps, charts, drawings, photographs, Maya Society materials, genealogies of Maya families, and Mayan glyphs on moveable type.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Origins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/origins. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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